The Correct Use Of Voice In Public Speaking

In public speaking of any kind, your body is your instrument. This article focuses on the first and arguably most important part of the body: the use of voice in public speaking.

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This is of particular importance when deciding how to open a speech.

The voice has several qualities that vary from person to person, as well as varying within each person, whether intentionally or by default. It is the job of the presenter to vary their use of these qualities with intention.

Volume: the loudness or softness of the words. In public speaking, you desire to be heard by everyone in the audience without having to shout. You can lower your volume to draw your audience in, and raise your volume to emphasize a point.

Pitch: the highness or lowness of the words. Speech is musical. Every voice has a "natural register" meaning the range of notes on the musical scale in which they most comfortably and naturally speak. Even a person who speaks in monotone still has pitch, it's just unvarying (and quite boring). The trick for use of voice in public speaking is to vary your pitch enough to keep your audience interested while sticking only to those notes in your register most pleasing to the human ear. Avoid excessive pitch, speaking too high or too low, unless it's briefly and to make a point.

Tone: A more subtle characteristic, this has to do with the quality of sound, or its characteristics on how to open a speech. A tone can be harsh and gravelly. Tone can be lilting and airy. It can be filled with laughter and joy or fear and anxiety, insecurity or confidence. Find a balance of the tone most natural to you, pleasing to the listener, and appropriate for the content of your speech. An educational speech, for example, should have an easygoing, pleasant, and inviting tone. While a speech at a political demonstration might be more effective with a bit of anger, provocation, and solidarity in the tone.

Pace: The speed at which the words are spoken. A fast pace at its best is stimulating and promotes a sense of urgency, and at worst can come off as jittery, unclear, and aggressive. A slow pace at its best is comforting, relaxing, and contemplative, and at worst can come across as boring, unprepared, and disinterested.

In order to improve the way you use your voice in public speaking, listen to yourself speak in various settings - while walking, driving, relaxing at home, sitting at work, anywhere. Listen to the way you sound when you speak. Experiment with volume, pitch, tone, and pace - and listen for differences that you find pleasing, and ones you don't.

To hear yourself best while you speak, cup your hand gently over your ear and pull the ear slightly forward. Cup your other hand over your mouth and divert the sound towards your cupped ear. This will allow you to hear your voice in a way you might not be used to, which happens to sound more like the way other people hear you anyway.

If you have a recording device, even better. Whether a video camera or a tape recorder, record yourself speaking and when you play it back analyze your use of voice in public speaking in terms of volume, pitch, tone, and pace.